Electronic Arts and Xbox announced that Xbox Live will be the presenting sponsor of the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl, the premiere party that kicks off Super Bowl week on February 3, 2005. For the first time in the tournament’s celebrated history, the Xbox console will be used to play Madden NFL 2005 at the event to be held prior to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, FL.

The EA SPORTS Madden Bowl, which occurs the Thursday night prior to the Super Bowl, pits the top NFL players against each other in a single-elimination, winner-takes-all tournament using the latest-and-greatest version of the best-selling Madden NFL football video game. With superstars like P.Diddy and Big Boi of OutKast looking on, last year’s EA SPORTS Madden Bowl in Houston saw reigning champion Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts defend his title against a host of NFL superstars provided by PLAYERS INC, including Byron Leftwich, Ahman Green, Jevon Kearse and Willis McGahee.

The Xbox Live Madden Championship

To celebrate being named the official gaming console of the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl, Xbox Live is proud to announce the creation of one of the largest, most prestigious, online football gaming tournaments ever created -- the inaugural Xbox Live Madden Championship. Starting on November 24, 2004, any eligible player who wishes to participate in the Tournament must register at: Here.

The winner of the inaugural Xbox Live Madden Championship will not only be known as “The World’s Greatest Online Gridiron Gamer”, but they will also win a trip for four to attend the world’s most exclusive Super Bowl party, the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl. While in Jacksonville, the winner takes on the ultimate Madden gamer as he/she battles the two-time defending EA SPORTS Madden Bowl Champion, Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts.

“This season, my goal on the field is to go to Jacksonville and win the Super Bowl with the Colts; but one of my off-the-field goals is to continue to dominate all gamers on Madden NFL 2005 on Xbox,” said Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney. “I have already beaten the best Madden players the NFL has to offer. Now, I look forward to beating the best the online world has to offer when I face off against the Xbox Live Madden Champion.”

“It is no secret that the EA SPORTS Madden Bowl is the most popular football video game tournament amongst NFL players and celebrities each year,” said Bill Nielsen, Director of Xbox Marketing. “It is also no secret that Xbox is the console of choice when it comes to playing sports games. The addition of Xbox and Xbox Live to the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl will not only enhance the gameplay that the athletes will experience at the EA SPORTS Madden Bowl, but it will continue to reinforce to our consumers that there is no better place to experience sports gaming than on Xbox and Xbox Live.”

Madden NFL 2005, which has sold four million copies so far this year, celebrates the franchise’s 15th anniversary by pushing the boundaries of realism forward with new defensive innovations, including the Hit Stick that for the first time makes playing defense as fun as playing offense; an immersive new Storyline Central in Franchise Mode, where player chemistry and personalities come alive; and enhanced online* features including Xbox Live support. In its 15-year history, Madden NFL video games have sold more than 40 million copies.

"We are excited to offer the NFL players a chance to compete on Madden NFL 2005 on Xbox and Xbox Live during the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl,” said Jordan Edelstein, senior product manager, Electronic Arts. “This has been the premiere kick-off event at the Super Bowl for 10 years now and partnering with Xbox Live makes perfect sense for both our brands.”